Wiehl, 29/11/2019 --- The BPW Group has already successfully established digital platforms and business models with the European market leader for trailer telematics, idem telematics, and webshop specialist and spare parts data aggregator PE Data. In future, the company intends to be even more adaptable when it comes to developing and implementing new digital ideas, as BPW Head of IT and Digitalisation Roman Rapoport demonstrated at the Wiehler Forum using telematics24.de as a project example.

Digitalisation is changing the DNA of companies: one example of this development is the BPW Group, which in just a few years transformed itself from a traditional firm in the commercial vehicle industry to an innovation leader of Industry 4.0. The most recent example are trailer running gears, generated as "digital twins" on the computer and accompanied by digitally networked services from production and assembly up to maintenance and spare parts service across nearly their entire lifecycle. The phrase "born digital" also applies to big data and webshop concepts, such as those realised by BPW Group member company PE Data: commercial vehicle service stations can easily identify spare parts via scanning with a smartphone, and then ordering with just one click. Taking this even further is the BPW Aftermarket Group, which brings to the table a completely digitalised spare parts warehouse in the form of an overseas shipping container: the only thing that employees have to do now is pick out the parts they need – these are recorded, invoiced and re-ordered completely automatically. A core component of BPW's digital strategy is system openness: the collaboration with platforms, software and hardware from a wide range of providers has also transformed the telematics subsidiary, idem telematics, into the European market leader for networking vehicles, freight and drivers.

Companies can only stay successful if they not only digitise and network their business models, but also permanently develop them further, Roman Rapoport reminded the audience at the Wiehler Forum. Boldness and the desire for change are the decisive success factors in digitisation, according to Rapoport. This ongoing change also always requires a change in corporate culture: an agile mindset, more personal responsibility and creative freedom for employees and a trust-based form of collaboration with partners are some of the most important ingredients in this regard.

The BPW Group is looking to open up more to digital players and platform operators in the future. Therefore, idem telematics has successfully partnered with Daimler Fleetboard and RIO as well as Schmitz Cargobull in recent years. However, it also depends on pace, says Rapoport: new platform ideas don't need to be launched to perfection, but can be implemented more quickly as prototypes and then intelligently further developed, taking new findings into account. He cited the new online marketplace telematics24.de as a project example. The platform is already online and is expected to develop into a cross-brand marketplace for telematics products and services in 2020. The goal is to depict product diversity to forwarders and vehicle manufacturers in a transparent and simple manner. That, too, is what BPW understands system openness to mean, says Rapoport.

About BPW Bergische Achsen KommanditgesellschaftBPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft is the parent company of the BPW Group. With over 1,600 employees, including around 120 trainees, the family-owned company has been developing and producing complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers at its headquarters in Wiehl since 1898. BPW’s technologies include axle systems, brake technology, suspension and bearings. BPW’s trailer axles and running gear systems are in use in millions of vehicles around the world. An extensive range of services also offers vehicle manufacturers and operators the ability to increase the efficiency of their production and transport processes. www.bpw.de/en

About the BPW GroupThe BPW Group researches, develops and manufactures everything needed to ensure that transport keeps moving and is safe, illuminated, intelligent and digitally connected. With its brands BPW, Ermax, HBN, HESTAL and idem telematics, the company group is a preferred system partner of the commercial vehicle industry around the globe for running gear, brakes, lighting, fasteners and superstructure technology, telematics and other key components for trucks, trailers and buses. The BPW Group offers comprehensive mobility services for transport businesses, ranging from a global service network to spare parts supply and intelligent networking of vehicles, drivers and freight. The owner-operated company group currently employs 7,200 staff in more than 50 countries and achieved consolidated sales of 1.48 billion euros in 2017. www.bpw.de/en

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Europe's leading trailer telematics system is also the best. This is the verdict given by the German Telematics Award panel of experts, one which is bestowed once every two years: idem telematics successfully relies on the principle of system openness in order to network practically everything in transport – including competing third-party systems. That's why forwarders also give top marks.

Combining truck and trailer data on a single interface displaying information on both systems in real time – industry-leading telematics specialists Daimler Fleetboard and idem telematics are offering their customers the chance to do exactly that through an innovative partnership.

BPW is giving cargo a voice using sensors and digital connectivity – the iGurt indicates whether it is correctly secured in the drawbar trailer during the journey, while the CargoTracer connects it directly with senders' and recipients' merchandise management systems. And these solutions already contain key technologies required for autonomous transport.

With a platform for running gears that has been thoroughly redesigned, BPW now covers both on-road and off-road applications. This means that running gear can be configured for trailers that can be used just as easily and efficiently on the road as on the construction site. The highlight is a "digital DNA" that accompanies the vehicle throughout its life with intelligent services.

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About BPW Bergische Achsen KG

BPW Bergische Achsen KG is the parent company of the BPW Group. With more than 1,600 employees, including around 120 trainees, the family-run company has been developing and producing complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers at its headquarters in Wiehl since 1898. BPW’s technologies include axle systems, brake technology, suspension and bearings. BPW’s trailer axles and running gear systems are in use in millions of vehicles around the world. An extensive range of services also provides vehicle manufacturers and vehicle operators with the opportunity to increase economic efficiency in their production and transport processes.www.bpw.de/en

The BPW Group researches, develops and manufactures everything needed to ensure that transport keeps moving and is safe, illuminated, intelligent and digitally connected. With its brands BPW, Ermax, HBN, HESTAL and idem telematics, the company group is a preferred system partner of the commercial vehicle industry around the globe for running gear, brakes, lighting, fasteners and superstructure technology, telematics and other key components for trucks, trailers and buses. The BPW Group offers comprehensive mobility services for transport businesses, ranging from a global service network to spare parts supply and intelligent networking of vehicles, drivers and freight. The owner-operated company group currently employs 7,350 staff in more than 50 countries and achieved consolidated sales of 1.52 billion euros in 2018.www.bpw.de/en